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Genoptic (Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic): Side Effects, Uses, Dosage, Interactions, Warnings

Genoptic

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Last updated on RxList: 11/7/2022

Drug Summary

What Is Genoptic?

Genoptic (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections (such as blepharitis, conjunctivitis) of the eye and the skin around the eyes (such as eyelids). It is also used to prevent infection after eye injury or surgery.

What Are Side Effects of Genoptic?

Common side effects of Genoptic include:

  • eye stinging/burning/redness or temporary blurred vision.

Contact your doctor if you notice side effects of Genoptic such as:

  • new or worsening eye symptoms (such as pain, swelling, thick discharge or pus) or
  • signs of an allergic reaction including rash, itching, or swelling.

Seek medical care or call 911 at once if you have the following serious side effects:

  • Serious eye symptoms such as sudden vision loss, blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain or swelling, or seeing halos around lights;
  • Serious heart symptoms such as fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeats; fluttering in your chest; shortness of breath; and sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, or passing out;
  • Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, or tremors.

This document does not contain all possible side effects and others may occur. Check with your physician for additional information about side effects.

Dosage for Genoptic

Instill one or two drops of Genoptic into the affected eye every 4 hours. In severe infections, dosage may be increased to as much as two drops once every hour.

What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Genoptic?

The effects of some drugs can change if you take other drugs or herbal products at the same time.

Genoptic During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

This can increase your risk for serious side effects or may cause your medications not to work correctly. Tell your doctor about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before starting treatment with this product. During pregnancy, Genoptic should be used only when prescribed. This drug may pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Additional Information

Our Genoptic (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

Description for Genoptic

GENOPTIC (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic) ® (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution; USP) is a sterile, topical anti-infective agent for ophthalmic use. The active ingredient, gentamicin sulfate, is a water-soluble antibiotic of the aminoglycoside group. Gentamicin is obtained from cultures of Micromonospora purpurea. It is a mixture of the sulfate salts of gentamicin C 1 , C 2 , and C 1A . All three components appear to have similar antimicrobial activities. Gentamicin sulfate occurs as a white to buff powder and is soluble in water but insoluble in alcohol.

GENOPTIC (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic) ® Solution:

Contains: Each mL contains-- Active: gentamicin sulfate equivalent to 3 mg (0.3%) gentamicin base. Preservative: Benzalkonium chloride. Inactives: edetate disodium; polyvinyl alcohol 1.4%; purified water; sodium chloride; sodium phosphate, dibasic; and hydrochloric acid and/or sodium hydroxide to adjust the pH. The solution is an aqueous, buffered solution with a pH of 6.5-7.5.

Uses for Genoptic

Gentamicin Sterile Ophthalmic Solution is indicated in the topical treatment of ocular bacterial infections, including conjunctivitis, keratitis, keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, blepharitis, blepharoconjunctivitis, acute meibomianitis, and dacryocystitis caused by susceptible strains of the following microorganisms:

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Dosage for Genoptic

Gentamicin Sterile Ophthalmic Solution: Instill one or two drops into the affected eye every 4 hours. In severe infections, dosage may be increased to as much as two drops once every hour.

HOW SUPPLIED

GENOPTIC® (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic solution, USP) 0.3% is supplied sterile in white opaque LDPE plastic bottles and tips with white high impact polystyrene (HIPS) caps as follows:

1 mL in 5 mL bottle--NDC 11980-117-01

Note: Store at or below 25°C (77°F). Avoid exposure to excessive heat (104°F/40°C or above).

Store Genoptic (gentamicin sulfate ophthalmic) Sterile Ophthalmic Solution between 2° and 30° C (36° and 86° F).

Side Effects for Genoptic

Bacterial and fungal corneal ulcers have developed during treatment with gentamicin ophthalmic preparations.

The most frequently reported adverse reactions are ocular burning and irritation upon drug instillation, nonspecific conjunctivitis, conjunctival epithelial defects, and conjunctival hyperemia.

Other adverse reactions which have occurred rarely are allergic reactions, thrombocytopenic purpura, and hallucinations.

Drug Interactions for Genoptic

No information provided.

Warnings for Genoptic

NOT FOR INJECTION INTO THE EYE. Gentamicin Sulfate Ophthalmic Solution is not for injection. It should never be injected subconjunctivally, nor should it be directly introduced into the anterior chamber of the eye.

Precautions for Genoptic

General

Prolonged use of topical antibiotics may give rise to overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms including fungi. Bacterial resistance to gentamicin may also develop. If purulent discharge, inflammation, or pain becomes aggravated, the patient should discontinue use of the medication and consult a physician.

If irritation or hypersensitivity to any component of the drug develops, the patient should discontinue use of this preparation, and appropriate therapy should be instituted.

Information for Patients

To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to the eye, eyelid, or any surface.

Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility

There are no published carcinogenicity or impairment of fertility studies on gentamicin. Aminoglycoside antibiotics have been found to be nonmutagenic.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy Category C: Gentamicin has been shown to depress body weights, kidney weights, and median glomerular counts in newborn rats when administered systemically to pregnant rats in daily doses approximately 500 times the maximum recommended ophthalmic human dose. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Gentamicin should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.

Pediatric Use

Safety and effectiveness in neonates have not been established.

Overdose Information for Genoptic

No information provided.

Contraindications for Genoptic

GARAMYCIN Sterile Ophthalmic Solution is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the components.

Clinical Pharmacology for Genoptic

Microbiology

Gentamicin sulfate is active in vitro against many strains of the following microorganisms:

Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Enterobacter aerogenes, Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens.

Patient Information for Genoptic

To avoid contamination, do not touch tip of container to the eye, eyelid, or any surface.

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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.